Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 19.7
Feedback Received from Farmers on the Effectiveness of Vermicompost on
Different Crops (Continued)
VII. Ornamental Plants
VIII. Cash Crops
IX. Plantation Crops
Crop Variety
Opinion
Crop Variety
Opinion
Crop Variety
Opinion
1. Roses
++++1.
Theobroma cocao
(cocoa)
++1.
Cocos nucifera
(coconut)
++++
2.
Pyrethrum
sp.
(Chrysanthemum)
++++2.
Coffea arabica
(coffee)
+++2.
Areca catechu
(arecanut)
++++
3.
Vanda roxburghi
(Orchids, vanilla)
++++3.
Thea sinensis
(tea)
++3.
Teetona grandis
(teak)
+++
4.
Impatiens balsamina
(Balsam)
+++4.
Morus alba
(mulberry)
++++
5.
Tagetes patula
(Marigold)
++++5.
Saccharum officinarum
(sugarcane)
++++
6.
Pimpinella anisa
(LadyÔs lace)
++++
6. Beetle leaf
++++
7.
Polianthes tuberosa
(tuberose)
++++
7. Gossypium hirsutum (cotton)
+++
8. Celotia
+++
9. Zinnia
+++
10. Anthurium
++++
11. Carnation
++++
++++, excellent; +++, very good; ++, good.
demonstrations. Interactions between scientific and government agencies has resulted in considering
vermicomposting as a need-based activity in the developmental programs.
The Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC), which promotes and supports the rural
development programs in India, is supporting the farmers financially to establish vermicomposting
units in villages. The commission has also taken responsibility to set standards for the recovered
vermicomposts and market the product through its sale counters. Similarly, the Directorate of
Horticulture, Sericulture, Coir Board, and Spices Board are financially helping farmers establish
units on their lands. Thus, much awareness has been created among the farming community
regarding the use of organic matter to restore the soil productivity. This has contributed, in a
developing country like India, to improve the soil productivity through organic amendments and
organic solid waste management for environmental protection. The program has linked the urban
and rural areas from two different angles to reach a point of developmental progress.
Vermiculture and vermicomposting are included in the curriculum of higher secondary educa-
tion as an introductory subject and at higher levels as an optional subject to make an in-depth study
of the subject. The agricultural universities and other related institutions in the country are actively
carrying out research on earthworms, vermicomposting, and its applications.
ADVANTAGES OF VERMICOMPOSTS
The vermicomposts recovered are homogeneous and characterized by a strong aggregate structure.
The earthworm secretions and products of microorganisms harbored in vermicompost can act as
plant growth stimulators. Improved active nodulation in legumes (Kale 1997) and increased sym-
biotic mycorrhizal association with roots has been reported (Kale et al. 1987; Harinikumar et al.
